Vital Records
Vital Records ensures the proper registration and documentation of life events for birth and death records. Durham County Public Health is a NON-ISSUANCE office for the public. Certified copies of birth and death certificates, amendments and legitimations can only be obtained at the Durham County Register of Deeds Office.
Obtaining a Birth or Death Certificate Copy
Birth or Death certificates may be obtained from the Register of Deeds
201 East Main Street, (2nd floor)
Administration Building II, Durham, NC 27701
(919) 560-0480
Hours: 8:30 am-5:00 pm.
Homebirths
Registration of a birth certificate must be within 1 year of birth.
If your child is born at home in Durham County, your child’s birth must be registered by someone present at the birth. (A witness can be anyone 18 years or older present during the birth). If a licensed midwife was present at the birth, he/she will register the child’s birth. If not, any of the following people present during the birth can register the child’s birth.
- The child’s father
- Any other person who was at the child’s birth over 18 years of age.
After one year from birth contact the NC State-Vital Records office.
To obtain homebirth application forms, they may be picked up in person.
Completed application forms may be emailed to our office at
Affidavit of Parentage (AOP) – adding father’s name to birth certificates
Contact our office at (919) 560-7670 to schedule an appointment.
Both parents must be present. The child must be born in Durham County and under 18 years of age.
Required documents needed:
- Copy of the child’s birth certificate
- Both parents' current national ID (example: driver’s license, military ID, current passport)
Name Changes or Amendments to Birth Certificates
Name Changes are processed through Durham County Family Court
510 S. Dillard St
Durham, NC 27701
Amendments for spelling corrections to birth certificates are processed through the Register of Deeds offices
201 East Main Street, (2nd floor)
Administration Building II, Durham, NC 27701.
Hours: 8:30 am-5:00 pm.
Death certificates
Funeral home staff are the only authorized personnel permitted to pick up letters or documents from our offices.
- Burial Transit permits-may be done online
- Non-contagious letters
- Disinterment forms-original form only
- Amendments to death certificates are done through the Register of Deeds office.
Please Note: Certified copies of birth and death certificates, amendments and legitimations can only be obtained at the Durham County Register of Deeds Office.